Ice tray supporting and releasing means



Feb. 8, 1938. A. R. CONSTANTINE 2,107,285

ICE TRAY SUPPORTING AND RELEASING MEANS Filed Feb. 25, 1934 Patented reuaiasa 7 2,107,285

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE I 2,107,285 r Arthur lt. Constantine, River Forest, 111., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Reconstruction Finance Corporation, Chicago, 11L, a corporation I Application February 23, 1934, Serial No. 112,563 15 Claims. (Chin-108.5)

My invention relates in general to refriger- My invention further includes numerous other ators and more particularly mechanical refrigobjects, advantages and inherent functions, not erating'apparatus wherein a receptacle, such as specifically mentioned herein, which will become an ice cube tray, containing water or other mateapparent as the invention is more fully underrial to be chilled is carried on a support in posistood from the following description which, taken 5 tion to be refrigerated; and an important object with the accompanying drawing, discloses a preof the invention is to provide means for releasing ferred embodiment of the invention.

the receptacle from its support in order" to facili- Referring to the drawing:

tate its removal. Figure l is a perspective view of a refrigerating Another important object is to provide simple element carrying tray supports including tray rem release means mounted on the receptacle support lease means embodying my present invention;

and manually operable to separate the tray or Figures 2 and 3 are perspective views of parts receptacle from its support by breaking the ice of the refrigerating element shown in Figure l; v bond which tends to form between the receptacle Figures 4, 5, and 6 are sectional views'taken 5 and its support through the freezing of condensed substantially and respectively along lines H, or other moisture therebetween. '5-5, and 6-6 in Figures 8, 4 and 1 respectively; Another important object is to provide arelease Figure '1 shows the refrigerating element as means operable to raise one end of the tray from mounted in a refrigerator cabinet; and its support in order to break an ice bond between Figure 8 is a perspective view of a support shelf tray and support; a further. object being to form and attached tray release. r the release means as a wedge adapted to enter To illustrate my inventiomlhave shown on the between the tray and its support for the purpose drawing a refrigerator element II, in which a shelf of separating the frozen parts. I! is mounted in position to receive a container Another object is to provide a manually operor pan i5 adapted to contain material toberefrigposed in position, at one side of the tray support, suitable form, construction, or arrangement proto facilitate manipulation of the release without viding for the mounting of the shelf but I have obstructing the removal of the tray from the supshown it in the form of an evaporator or boiler p which is connected in a refrigerant circulating oted on the tray support and having an operating drivingly associated with motive means l9, the handle extending to the side of the support and a discharge outlet of the compressor being conwedging portion opposite an end of the tray in nected through a refrigerant condenser 2|, and a. position to enter between the tray and its sup float-controlled expansion valve 23 to the inlet manipulated; a further object being to form the system, the refrigerating medium in gaseous con-, release as a relatively flat member over which the dition is drawn into the compressor through contray may pass without obstruction. duit means 25 connecting with the evaporator Another object is to provide a tray support and discharge and is compressed and delivered in gasesembly in a refrigerator casing; a further object which the refrigerant is cooled and changed to being to form the tray support as a single sheet liquid form. From the condenser, the liquefied metal element. refrigerant is delivered through the float-con- Another important object is to provide a retrolled valve 23 to the evaporator II in which the in a. housing such as the evaporator element of a the gaseous state while absorbing heat from the refrigerator, the support being formed with holdwalls of the evaporator and the surrounding ating means adapted to interflt with portions of 'mosphere and thus accomplishing the refrigeratthe evaporator element to hold the support in ing function in the vicinity of the evaporator.

ther object being'to form. the holding means as formed plat of channel Shaped configuration an integral part of the tray support and more having spaced side walls and an interconnecting able tray release having an operating handle diserated. The refrigerator element It may be of any 25 3 Another object is to provide a tray release pivsystem including a refrigerant compressor i1,

port to separate the same when the handle is of the evaporator ii. In this type of refrigerating a release which may be formed as a unit for asous condition under pressure to the condenser in u 'movable tray support adapted for mounting with-. refrigerant evaporates or boils and changes to tray-carrying position within the element; afur- The evaporator shown comprises a pair of particularly-to form the tray as a unitary sheet bottom wall, said plates being adapted to fit one metal member in which the holding means com within the other. The outer plate 21 has outy, H1 prise struck out lugs. wardly formed impressions including semi-cy- I longitudinal depressions 5| lindrical depressions 29 near the upper edges of its side walls and a plurality of grooves 3| extending in the side and bottom walls and plate 35 has inwardly pressed semi-cylindrical depressions 35*near' the -upperedgesof its side walls in position to register with parts are assembled in inter-fitting relationship in order to form gas receiving chambers from which the evaporated refrigerant is drawn off through the pipe 25. The side walls of the plate 33 are also formed with inwardly extending ridges 31, the ridges on opposite side walls of the plate being in horizontal registration. The plates are secured together in interfitting relationship by sealing their adjacent edges in any suitable fashion, as by welding, in order to form, between the plates, a gas-tight evaporating chamber comprising the spaces defined by the depressions 29 and 35 and the ridges 3i and 31. The evaporator inlet connection is formed preferably on one of the ridges 31 and the finished structure may be strengthened by securing a connector 59 between the pressed portions 35 of the inner plate. The plates are preferably additionally secured together as by means of welding applied intermediate the ridges 3| and 31.

irigerator in heat exchange relationship with the evaporator unit ii. The shelf, however, is preferably formed for interfitting engagement with the registering ridges 31 which extend inwardly of the side walls The shelf is adapted to form a carrier on which the container l5, or any other article or device, may be mounted in position to be refrigerated. The

particularly contemplating a relatively shallow,

frozen to form ice cubes. The plate ll near its rearmost edge is or may be provided with means, comprising an upwardly struck lip ",in position to engage the pan in order to limit itsrearward travel on the shelf and the plate I may be formed with laterally extending'beads l5 and of the shelf and for drainage purposes.

Ingthe operation of refrigerators, moisture is likely to condense upon the shelf I3 and to form a frozen seal between the bottom of the container it under the refrigerating action of the unit II when the same is in l5 may thus become shelf as to render its operation. The container so tightly frozen upon the adapted to receive water to be a increase the strength to automatically return thehandle -.tion shown in full removal dimcultandto this end I have provided a breaker mechanism which is preferably mounted on the shelf ad conveniently located to facilitate manual operation to break the frozen bond and loosen the container from the shelf in order to permit the same to be easily removed from the freezing unit H. For this purpose. I have provided a breaker element comprising a member 53 pivoted on the forward portions of the shelves II or on the bottom wall 01' the unit 11 H, which also may act as a shelf. The members 53 may each be secured in position by means of a pin 55 and each has an operating handle 51 extending adjacent a side edge of the shelf'on which it is attached. 15 The refrigerator unit H is preferably arranged in the cooling compartment I 2 of a suitable refrigerator cabinet it having an opening provided with a suitable closure or door H, one end of compartment, and said unit ll being arranged in the compartment so that its forward end faces the compartment opening whereby when said door is opened, through the compartment with a door or other closure means at its forward end-whereby to permit access to the breaker means and the-com tainers through an end of the unit, when said closure means is open. 35

The member 53 is of relatively shallow construction in order to present little, if any obstruction, to the removal of the container I5 from the shelf, the container being slidable over the member 53 without requiring appreciable elevation from its normal resting position on the shelf. When the member is in normal position, substantial space between it and the adjacent edge ofthe shelfso that there is no danger of the arm becoming frozen to the shelf. 45 The member 53 has a wedge-like portion comprising a blade 59, which is adapted to enter between the bottom of the container l5 and the shelf, as shown in Figure 6, is moved from its normally inactive position, shown in full lines in Figure 3, to the ice breaking position. illustrated in dotted lines. The wedging action exerted between the shelf and the container l5 by, the entrance of the blade moisture between the container ing shelf, thus.freeing the container and permitting it to be readily withdrawn from its supporting shelf.

The shelf also may be curled as at 63 in order to improve the appearance of and any suitable yielding means maybe pro- 65 vided, if desired, to normally'bias the breaker; member 55 toward the inactive position whereby tothe posiin Figure 8 after being manipulated to perform the ice breaking function. Such provision of yielding means is not, of course, essential since the breaker may be manually returned to theinoperative position. I do, however, prefer to form the handle-with a shoulder or lines projection 8! in position to engage a co-operating portion or element 62 formed on or carried by the shelf for limiting the movement of 'the breaker member in one direction on its pivot and determining its inoperative position. The element 62 may take the form of a lug integrally formed on a washer 65 mounted between the forward edge of the shelf 4! and the ice breaker, and having a perforation receiving the pin 55. The washer also may have a flange 61 curled about the forward edge of the shelf to hold the washer from turning on the pin. The blade 59 also may be and preferably is provided with a shoulder or projection 69 in position to engage a stop on the shelf, such as the stop 62, in order to limit the ice breaking-movement of the breaker element and stop it in the position shown in dotted lines in Figure 8.

The breaker mechanism, which I have provided, is extremely simple in construction, cheap to manufacture, and positive in action. It may be mounted as well upon the bottom wall of the unit H, see Figure l, as on the shelves 41. Its construction is such that the mounting or removal of the container IS on or from the shelf is substantially unhampered. The portion of the breaker, over which the tray is moved, is relatively flat, while the handle 51, when the breaker is inactive, is disposed at one side of the shelf in a position permitting unhampered movement of the container.

The shelf also is of simple construction and can be easily and cheaply manufactured by a simple sheet metal stamping operation. In addition the shelf construction, in conjunction with the construction of the unit I l. whereby the shelf may be easily mountedon the unit without requiring additional fastening means has great' utility, more especially because the shelf may bearranged selectively at any desired elevation in the unit H or. may be entirely removed by simply withdrawing it from mounted position, thus permitting considerable latitude in the arrangement of the cooling space within the unit H. One or more shelves may be mounted and thus permit the reception of containers'of a variety of sizes in a refrigerator unit of standardized form, and a further advantage resides in the ability to quickly remove any or all shelves from the unit in order to leave the interior of the unit entirely unobstructed and thus facilitate cleaning operations as Well as permit the unit to receive a container of maximum size which is not possible where the shelves are permanently mounted or mounted in a fashion rendering removal diflicult.

Numerous other objects, advantages and inherent functions of the invention will be apparent, from the foregoing description, to those familiar with the art of refrigeration and it will be obvious that numerous changes may be made in the form, construction, and arrangement of the several parts without departing from the spirit or scope of my invention or sacrificing any of its attendant advantages; the forms herein described being preferred embodiments for the purpose of illustrating my invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is as follows:

1. The combination with a cooling device having supporting means adapted to carry supportable means in heat-exchange relationship with said cooling device, of means comprising a wedge carried by said supporting means and shiftable' thereon between said supporting and supportable means in order to break an ice bond therebetween.

the supporting and supportable means in orderto break an ice bond therebetween.

3. The combination with a cooling device having supporting means adapted to carry supportable means in heat-exchange relationship with said cooling device, of a handle pivoted on said supporting means, and meansassociated with said handle and adapted, when said handle is shifted, to enter between the supporting and supportable means to break an ice bond therebetween. I I

4. The combination with a cooling device having support means adapted to carry supportable means in heat exchange relationship with said cooling device, of a release lever pivotally mounted on said support means for movement about a vertical axis, said lever being adapted "to extend normally in position permitting free accessto said supportable means, said lever also having a portion adapted, when the lever is moved from its normal position, to enter between. said support and supportable means in order to break an ice bond therebetween.

5. The combination with a cooling device having a shelf for supporting a container in said device, said device and shelf being formed to permit removal and replacement of said container across an edge of said shelf, of a lever pivotally mounted on said shelf at or adjacent said edge, said lever being mounted for pivotal movement about a vertical axis and having a handle to facilitate manual operation thereof, said lever being adapted to extend in position with its handle in substantial alinement with said edge whereby to avoid obstructing removal or replacement of said container, said lever having a portion adapted, when the lever is moved from said normal position, to enter between said shelf and said container to break an ice bond therebetween.

6. The combination with a cooling device having a shelf adapted to carry a container in heat exchange relationship with said cooling device, a handle pivoted on said shelf, and means associated with said handle and adapted, when said handle is shifted, to enter between the shelf and the container to break an ice bond therebetween, said means being adapted normally to lie outwardly of and opposite the ice bond.

'7. A shelf structure for supporting a container in heat exchange relationship with a cooling device, a handle pivoted on said shelf adjacent an edge thereof, and means associated with said handle and adapted, when said handleis shifted, to enter between the shelf and the container in order to break an ice bond therebetween, said means being adapted normally to lie outwardly of and opposite the ice bond.

'relative sliding movement between the supporting and supportable means.

9. The combination with a cooling device, having supporting means adapted to carry supportable means in heat-exchange relationship with said cooling device, of a bell crank lever pivoted on said supporting means and having an arm formedas a handle extending at one side of. the

supporting means and another arm extending into position to enter between the supporting and the supportable means when said handle is moved in order to break an ice bond between the supporting and supportable means.

10. The combination with a freezing compartment having a freezing tray therein adapted to be periodicallyremoved, of swingable wedging means operable about a vertical pivot axis with a wedging action betweenthe compartment bot- 12. A refrigerating apparatus including an evaporator shelf, an ice cube tray removably supported on said shelf, and means between the shelf and tray to break the adhering ice seal or bond existing therebetween, said means comprising a stud member, a cam member adapted for rotation around said stud and having a surface normally flush with the contacting surfaces of the shelf and tray, and a handle for rotating the cam about the stud to force the tray out of contact with said shelf.

- 13. A refrigerating apparatus including an evaporator shelf, an ice cube tray removably supported on said shelf, and means between the shelf and tray to break the adhering icesealpr.

bond existing therebetween, said means compris ing a horizontal lifting cam having an inclined cam surface, said cam being mounted for, rotation about a vertical axis, the high portion of said inclined cam surface being normally out of engagement with the shelf and tray, and means for rotating said cam about its vertical axis to force the high portion of the inclined cam surface between the shelf and tray to force the tray out of contact with said shelf.

14. Inthe combination with a freezing unit having a supporting element and a freezing tray element adapted to be periodically removed, 0scillatable wedging means pivoted on one of said ele ents for oscillation about a vertical axis, said means comprising a handle portion and a portion exerting a wedging action between the supporting element and the tray element thereby to release the latter from frozen connection with the former. l

15. A refrigerating apparatus comprising an evaporator shelf element, an ice cube tray element removably supported on said shelf element,

and means between the shelf element and tray element to break the adhering ice bond existing thereb'etween, said means comprising a stud member secured to and extending vertically from one of said elements, a cam member adapted for rotation around said stud and having a surface normally flush with the contacting surfaces of the shelf and tray and a handle extending outwardly from said cam member and lyingin the plane of the cam member for rotating the same about the stud to force the tray element out of contact with the shelf element.

ARTHUR R. I CONSTANTINE. 

